Dorsey High School is going to receive a much-needed facelift and some extra additions in the coming years.

On Thursday, March 15, Dorsey High School celebrated the groundbreaking for new development projects on the campus. Maguerite LaMotte Distrit 1 Board member, Leon Jenkins, President of NAACP Los Angeles Branch along with district members, official representatives, school faculty, alumni and students celebrated the beginning of a new chapter for school.

"We're here to celebrate the groundbreaking, which is a great start for us in this community," said Lorena Padilla-Melendez, Director Facilities Services Division and Community Relations.

"We have waited a long time for this date," LaMotte said. "You can feel the uplifting energy around the campus as the result of this anticipated project."

"I am pleased that we will have an environmentally safe, state-of-the-art facility in which to nurture students." Stated Steve Bagby, President of Dorsey's Alumni Association and a member of Motivated Men, which is a community-based organization that mentors Dorsey students

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) redevelopment plans will see the campus receive a much-needed facelift and construction. The project includes a new classroom building, new gymnasium and renovations to the existing gymnasium.The new 2story classroom building includes:

LaMotte and Jenkins both spoke highly about the long-awaited project. They believe that this is the beginning of more success for Dorsey and the community as a whole.

"Sometimes you just have to wait-sometimes it takes us longer to get things than it does other people," said LaMotte.

"We're finally going to get it and I hope it's going to reinvigorate the talent and bring back the talent for a flagship school.

"It's an exciting thing for us because there is a lot of talent [and] skill." "I feel it was just a long time coming-remarkable," said Jenkins.

"It shows what happens when we have the ability to elect someone... that's why it is very important, going into the future, we keep that first district in African American hands.

"It would not have happened but for [Maguerite] LaMotte-for an African American pushing for this.

"It took 20 years, that's a long fight but you to don't get that happening with people who don't have that special interest.

"I'm overwhelmed with joy that our school, [Dorsey], we get some of the money.""This amazing redevelopment project will do much to strengthen the foundation of the local community and give students the opportunity to achieve academically and athletically," stated Dr. Brenda A. Manuel, LAUSD Local District 3 Interim Superintendent.

Construction began around the 2nd quarter of last year. The estimated date for finished construction is around the 3rd quarter of 2014.